I have noted lately some general confusion on the distinctions between God’s mercy, His law (Church doctrine and law), and His Justice.

Some people seem to equate God’s law, as presented in the decalogue and Church law, as being about God’s justice. Unfortunately, this is the way that certain members of the Church hierarchy have chosen to frame the discussion. Consequently, some people have come to believe that God’s law (Doctrine) is somehow in opposition to God’s mercy. Heavens no!!

God’s law is all about mercy, about love, and about truth. Church law, as revealed in Her doctrine, is never about justice in the sense of punishment or paying for your crimes. Rather it is only about...READ MORE

For a year, since it was first announced, and with increased zeal after Cardinal Kasper's speech in February, I have been warning about the dangers to the faith possible in the Synod on the Family. I thought that while re-stating the faith in the documents produced by it, the synod might undermine the faith by introducing changes to praxis not consonant with the faith it purports to support.

And so, I am here today to admit I was wrong. It was way worse than even I thought it would be! Sorry about that. You know me, never pessimistic enough!

They couldn't even bring themselves to re-state the faith without introducing novelties and language...READ MORE

The city of Houston has issued subpoenas ordering a number of pastors to hand over any recent sermons that might have touched on the issue of homosexuality or the city's lesbian mayor Annise Parker.

Or else.

Those failing to comply with this order could be held in contempt of court. Welcome to America in the 21st century folks.

Christina Holcomb of the Alliance Defending Freedom (which filed a motion against the city on behalf of five pastors) reportedly called it "an inquisition designed to stifle any critique of its actions.”

The history here is that as part of the city's new non-discrimination ordinance would allow men to use ladies rooms and...READ MORE

I think it is high time that we talk frankly about what is truly happening in the Church. It is quite probable that we are approaching the denouement of this horrible play, a century in the telling, in which the Synod on the Family, currently playing out in Rome, may be the opening scene of the final act.

We endlessly speculate and debate over who is with Cardinal Kasper and who is not, who will stand up and who will be quiet, and where does doctrine end and pastoral praxis begin. Meanwhile, a “dark and false Church,” as foreseen by Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, which has grown within the Church for a century, continues its unhindered progress.

Teachers in a Nebraska school district have been told to not refer to children as boys and girls but instead as things like "purple penguins." I don't even know what that means.

Anyway, what would happen if one of the kids insisted they were a red penguin and wouldn't come to story time until the teacher acknowledged the redness of their interior penguin essence? They could say "I may appear to be a purple penguin but in my mind I am very much red. Bright freaking red. Please acknowledge it or you better call your union rep because I'm about to have an army of sensitivity trainers crawling around this kindergarten and contacting the media about how you're anti-penguin."

In the lead up to the Synod, we have had to endure many dumb things said by those trying to justify changes to immutable teaching. We have had those who have tried to change history, or put God's mercy in opposition to His Justice. You know the drill.

But leave it to an Assistant Theology professor at Catholic *ahem* Villanova to say the single dumbest thing so far about marriage.

Katie Grimes, writing at "Women In Theology" gives this advice to the Bishops in advance of the Synod.

Bishops ought to also listen to those critics who point out that marriage also accords disproportionate benefits to the well to do. Marriage, they claim, is not just about sex and love and children and...READ MORE

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges recently announced that they were giving Gordon College, a Christian institution, one year to "review" its policies regarding homosexuality or face losing its accreditation.

These bureaucratic bullies say that the college may be in violation of accreditation standards because of its view that homosexual behavior is a sin and prohibited on campus. The NEASC is demanding that the college review its policy and submit a report to "ensure that the College’s policies and procedures are non-discriminatory."

So now the college has formed a committee to "review" its policy. In a statement that both the NEASC and Gordon College released together,...READ MORE

Historical researcher Michael Paulkovich is claiming that after studying many writers from the first, second, and third centuries and finding no mention of Jesus, he can conclude that Jesus Christ is a mythical figure.

I, however, believe future generations will come to see "Paulkovich the Scholar" as a myth. In declaring that no early writers mention Christ, one must assume he skipped Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Among the 126 writers, Paulkovich, for some reason, includes writers and historian who actually did mention Christ and/or Early Christians such as Josephus. Josephus wrote:

But the younger Ananus who, as we said, received the high priesthood, was of a bold disposition and...READ MORE

About Pat Archbold

Patrick Archbold is co-founder of Creative Minority Report, a Catholic website that puts a refreshing spin on the intersection of religion, culture, and politics. When not writing, Patrick is director of information technology at a large international logistics company. Patrick, his wife Terri, and their five children reside in Long Island, N.Y.